Stationary packer assemblies

ABSTRACT

A refuse packing and transporting assembly wherein the refuse is placed directly in a transport container while the container is connected with a packer device which is operated to compress the refuse therein. The packer device comprises a relatively simple frame structure mounted in position to have the transport container brought into juxtaposition thereto with an opening in the end of the transport container into and through which a head in the packer operates to compress the refuse in the container after deposit directly into the container. After a suitable quantity of refuse has been packed in the container, the latter may be disconnected from the packer and hauled away for discharging the refuse therefrom.

Inventors Appl. No.

Filed Patented Assignee Harvey W. Liberman;

James A. Wade; Steven C. Voorhees, all of Knoxville, Tenn.

Nov. 14, 1969 Division of Ser. No. 703,995, Feb. 8, 1968, Pat. No.3,507,410

Oct. 19, 1971 Dempster Brothers, Inc.

Knoxville, Tenn.

STATIONARY PACKER ASSEMBLIES 6 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 100/229,

100/215, 100/245, 100/269 Int. Cl. 83% 1/32 Field of Search 214/41;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,229,622 1/1966 French etal 100/214 3,318,231 5/1967 Felts 100/229 X 3,327,620 6/1967 Cole100/229 X 3,368,478 2/1968 Clar 100/229 X 3,229,618 [/1966 OConner100/229 UX Primary ExaminerBilly .l. Wilhite Attorney-Burns, Doane,Swecker & Mathis ABSTRACT: A refuse packing and transporting assemblywherein the refuse is placed directly in a transport container while thecontainer is connected with a packer device which is operated tocompress the refuse therein. The packer device comprises a relativelysimple frame structure mounted in position to have the transportcontainer brought intojuxtaposition thereto with an opening in the endof the transport container into and through which a head in the packeroperates to compress the refuse in the container after deposit directlyinto the container. After a suitable quantity of refuse has been packedin the container, the latter may be disconnected from the packer andhauled away for discharging the refuse therefrom.

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' SHEET SUF 5 gm W 5 ATTORNEYS STATIONARY PACKER ASSEMBLIES CROSSREFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a division ofApplication Ser. No. 703,995 filed Feb. 8, I968 and which issued as Pat.No. 3,507,410 on Apr. 21, 1970.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements inStationary Packer Assemblies and, more particularly, to devices forcompacting refuse in a transport container after deposit of the refusein the container.

It has been provided heretofore that refuse would be dumped into astationary hopper in the top of a packer from which it would bedischarged under pressure into a transport body or container. An examplethereof is illustrated in French et al. Pat. No. 3,229,622, Jan. 18,1966.

A packer system which includes a stationary hopper not only is complexand expensive, but adds considerable overall length to the packerassembly. Moreover, it is difficult to keep clean, especially when wastefoodstuffs are dumped into the hopper and these must be washed downfrequently to prevent obnoxious odors.

One object of this invention is to simplify and improve the constructionof stationary packer assemblies for this purpose to enable these to beconstructed at less cost and with less complexity and to require asubstantial reduction in overall space for the use thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide for the dumping of therefuse directly into the transport container and the utilization of thepacker to compress the refuse in the container itself, therebyeliminating the need for and the use of a hopper as a part of the packerassembly.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a secure connectionbetween the transport container and the packer assembly and theoperation of the packer head through a sufficient distance into thetransport container to effect a compressing action to the refuse as itis discharged into the container, the head operating through the area inwhich the refuse is directed so as to act on the refuse in that area.

These objects may be accomplished, according to one embodiment of theinvention, by providing a suitable transport container such as may bepicked up on a vehicle for transport to a remote point for dumping andmay be of the order of a truck body. Mounted in a stationary position isa packer assembly which is adapted to have the transport containerbrought into juxtaposition thereto and to be coupled therewith.

The transport container not only has an opening in the rear end thereofthrough which the packer operates, but it also has one or more fillingopenings about the sides thereof and may include the top for directingthe refuse into the transport container in the path of the packer headon the packer assembly. The packer head operates through the area ofdischarge in the transport container so as to effect substantialcompaction of the refuse in the container as it is discharged therein.

The packer head is supported by a suitable framework and is operated bya power cylinder to effect operation thereof with force required forcompacting the refuse. The structure does not include a hopper which hasbeen eliminated from prior packer assemblies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS This embodiment of the invention isillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a combined transport and packer assembly incoupled relation;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation thereof;

FIG. 3 is a partial plan view of the packer assembly;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation thereof;

FIG. 5 is an end elevation thereof;

F IG. 6 is a detail cross section of the packer head guide;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of an assembly showing a modification of thebody connection;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a power unit, detached, for the packer; and

FIG. 9 is a side elevation thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSURE Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, we haveshown a transport vehicle, which is designated generally by the numeralI, connected at the front end of a transport container 2 and the latter,in turn, having its rear end coupled with a packer assembly, generallyindicated at 3.

The transport vehicle 1 is provided with means for loading and unloadingthe transport container 2. This container handling mechanism isillustrated and described more in detail in Pat. No. 3,107,020, datedOct. l5, I963. Accordingly, the frame structure of the container 2preferably includes runners 4 extending lengthwise of the container andmay also be provided with rollers, if desired, for effecting suchlengthwise movement onto and off the vehicle I. This underframestructure is indicated generally at 4 in FIG. 2 and preferably includesmeans for detachably moving the container onto and off the vehicle such,for example, as step-by-step mechanism of the character described in theaforesaid Pat. No. 3,017,020.

At its rear end the container 2 is substantially open throughout thearea thereof and is provided with a closure door 5 of substantially thesame area as said rear end. The door 5 is hinged to the body of thecontainer 2 and is capable of being latched in closed position.

The container 2 is also provided with one or more filling openingsadjacent the rear thereof for the deposit of refuse into the rear endportion of the container in a region immediately forward of the rear endof the container. These filling openings may be provided in one or bothopposite sides, including the top, and should be provided with doors forclosing such openings.

As indicated in FIG. 2, side filling openings are shown, provided withhinged closure doors 9 therefor. One or more filling openings may beprovided in the top of the body container 2. Hinged closure doors 12 areprovided for the top openings.

The packer assembly 3 is shown more in detail in FIGS. 3 to 5. Itincludes a frame, generally indicated at 14, which is connected withtrack members 15 spaced apart to accommodate thereon the runners 4 ofthe transport container 2 when the latter is brought into juxtapositionwith the packer assembly.

At each opposite side of the frame I4 is a channel-shaped beam 16 havingits intermediate portion secured rigidly to and supported by the frame14 and projecting forwardly and rearwardly therefrom. The rear endportions of the beams I6 are supported by upright standards I7. Thesebeams are rigidly connected together at their rear ends by a cross beam18 (see FIGS. 3 and 5).

Secured to the frame 14 and to the beams I6 are opposite guide plates36, supported at the upper and lower edges thereof by angle bars 37.These parts 36 and 37 form guides at opposite sides for a compactionhead I9 which extends in bridging relation between the guides atopposite sides of the frame 14. The guide plates 36 and angle bars 37extend forwardly from the frame 14 a substantial distance sufficient toproject through the area of deposit in the transport container The head19 is mounted for reciprocating movement by a hydraulic cylinder,generally indicated at 21, pivotally connected at one end, at 22, by asuitable pin with the forward end of the head 19, and at the oppositeend the cylinder 21 is pivotally connected at 23 with the crossmember 18so as to allow some vertical flexibility of the head 19.

The container 2 is adapted to be brought into juxtaposition with thepacker unit 3, as shown in FIG. 2, so as to allow the head 19 toreciprocate through an opening 24 provided in the lower portion of thedoor 5 of the container 2. The relation of the head 19 to the frame 14is such that the head normally projects forwardly therefrom so that uponmovement of the container 2 into position for coupled relationtherewith, as

shown in FIG. 2, the head 19 may be reciprocated across the area ofdeposit of material inside the container. In its retracted position, theforward end of the head will be approximately flush with the inside reardoor of the container.

Provision should be made for detachably coupling the container with thepacker unit. One form of lock device for this container is shown inFIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4. This form involves coupling links 25 for thispurpose, pivoted at 26 on each opposite side of the frame 14. Each ofthe coupling links 25 has an eyelet at the opposite end thereof, to beconnected by a suitable pin with the container 2 in securejuxtapositioned relation. This coupled relation is capable of beingtightened to effect the secure connection therebetween.

Another form of lock device that may be used, if desired, between thecontainer 2 and the packer 3 is illustrated in FIG. 7. This involves oneor more hooks 38 on each opposite side of the equipment pivoted at 39 tothe frame 14 in position for hook engagement with a pin 40 on a side ofthe container 2. These hooks 38 may be operated automatically ormanually for engagement.

The frame 14 and supporting standards 17 are constructed to receivetherein a subframe 4] suitably secured to the frame and standards. Thissubframe 41 is a unitary subframe which serves to support a removablepower unit, generally indicated at 42 in FIGS. 8 and 9. Thisself-contained power unit 42 supplies hydraulic power to the cylinder 21and conserves space by being located under the machine, although it maybe located remote therefrom if preferred. By the utilization of aself-contained power unit the substitution or revision of the componentsof the unit may be varied as desired.

During normal use, the container 2 and packer 3 are connected together,as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but the vehicle 1 is separated anddisconnected therefrom. In such use, the refuse is placed in thecontainer 2 through one of the openings, such as a side or top, and thecover door thereof should then be closed. The compaction head 19, whichis normally in the retracted position indicated at H in FIG. 2,reciprocates through the area of deposit of refuse to the projectedposition shown at H in FIG. 2, entirely across the area of deposit ofrefuse so as to move all of the refuse out of this area and to compactit forwardly in the container 2. The area of the compaction head 19 issuch that it substantially covers the transverse width of the container2 at the inside thereof and by thus operating through the area ofdeposit of refuse, this head will effect substantial compaction therein.

After a desired quantity of refuse has been placed in the container 2and it is desirable that the container be transported to a suitablepoint for discharge of the refuse, the vehicle 1 may be brought intoconnected relation therewith, as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Theconnecting links 25 should then be disconnected, if used or the hooks 38disconnected at 40, to allow the container to be separated and removedfrom the packer unit. The container will then be moved by the vehicleonto the latter for transporting to a remote point. If desired, theopening at 24 may be covered during this removal by the provision of asuitable cover thereover.

After dumping the contents from the container, the latter may be broughtback to the point of filling and re-connected to the packer unit ortaken to another packer unit as desired. It is a relatively simplematter to slide the container along the tracks 15 into coupled relationwith the packer unit when it is necessary merely to connect thecouplings 25 or hooks 38, and with the packer head 19 retracted in theopening 24 so as to have the unit in operative relation.

This packing system is essentially enclosed when the doors in thecontainer are closed. This is contrasted from the typical stationarypacker assembly having a charging box where, if the packer head is leftin a retracted position, there is an opening into the rear of thecontainer through the charging box through which odors may emanate,material can blow or persons could enter the container, possiblyendangering them. None of this is possible, however, according to thisinvention because the packer head, in its retracted position,effectively closes the opening into the container and there is nocharging box to expose undesirable portions of the packer.

The charging area is not a part of the packer, but is confined withinthe container. Thus, it is easier to keep it in a relatively cleancondition since this area is essentially the container floor. When thecontainer is pulled away from the packer, there is little, if any,structure that can retain refuse or would require cleaning in a systemhandling food waste, for example, or other contaminating materials.

The short length of the machine in comparison with its displacementmakes for simplicity of construction and inexpensive manufacture. Thefact that the total head displacement is within the container eliminatesextensive travel distance from the overall system dimension whichreduces appreciably the packer head stroke as compared with theconventional stationary packer.

The packer head and supporting structure therefor is mounted in anelevated position, as shown in FIG. 4, to allow clearance beneath theframe and guides especially when the container is pulled away from thepacker. This makes it easy to clean and aids materially in keeping theentire packer assembly free of contamination and waste and fromobjectionable materials.

This provides a short overall system, as compared with conventionalpacker systems that include a hopper as used heretofore. It iscompletely enclosed, inasmuch as the refuse is discharged directly intothe container, which is then closed. A relatively clean, permanentinstallation can be obtained because there is no charging hopper whichmust be cleaned frequently, especially when waste foodstuffs areinvolved, to prevent obnoxious odors.

The system is capable of variable loading arrangements, either from thetop of the container or from the side or, if desired, through an openingat the rear, above the packer. A simple and inexpensive power unit isprovided which permits installation in any desired location.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in oneembodiment, it is recognized that variations and changes may be madetherein without departing from the invention set forth in the claims.

We claim:

1. A stationary packer unit comprising a supporting frame adapted toabut at a forward end with a container, guides on opposite sides of theframe extending lengthwise thereof appreciably beyond the forward end ofsaid frame to be disposed within the container when the frame is inabutting relation therewith, a packer head mounted on the guides, andmeans for reciprocating said head between positions with the front endof the head at theforward end of the guides thereof and locatedforwardly of the frame within the container and a retracted position ofthe head within the frame, said packer head always being positioned soas to preclude the entry of refuse into said container through saidpacker unit and whereby all refuse to be compacted is placed into saidcontainer through openings therein other than that opening through whichthe packer head reciprocates.

2. A stationary packer unit according to claim 1, including a powercylinder connected with the forward end of the packer head and with therear end of the frame for reciprocating said head on the guides.

3. A stationary packer unit according to claim 2, including mountingmeans for the packer head in the guides allowing vertical flexibility ofthe head relative to the guides, and the connection of the rear end ofthe cylinder with the frame being movable about a horizontal axis.

4. A stationary packer unit according to claim 2, wherein the powercylinder is mounted in the supporting frame, a selfcontained power unitoperatively connected with the power cylinder for supplying fluid powerthereto, and means mounting the power unit within the frame fordetachment and removal therefrom.

5. A stationary packer unit comprising a supporting frame, guides onopposite sides of the frame, a packer head mounted replacement of thepower unit.

6. A stationary packer unit according to claim 5, wherein the-power uniton the subframe is mounted in the frame extending from side-to-sidethereof below the cylinder and is removable from the frame.

1. A stationary packer unit comprising a supporting frame adapted toabut at a forward end with a container, guides on opposite sides of theframe extending lengthwise thereof appreciably beyond the forward end ofsaid frame to be disposed within the container when the frame is inabutting relation therewith, a packer head mounted on the guides, andmeans for reciprocating said head between positions with the front endof the head at the forward end of the guides thereof and locatedforwardly of the frame within the container and a retracted position ofthe head within the frame, said packer head always being positioned soas to preclude the entry of refuse into said container through saidpacker unit and whereby all refuse to be compacted is placed into saidcontainer through openings therein other than that opening through whichthe packer head reciprocates.
 2. A stationary packer unit according toclaim 1, including a power cylinder connected with the forward end ofthe packer head and with the rear end of the frame for reciprocatingsaid head on the guides.
 3. A stationary packer unit according to claim2, including mounting means for the packer head in the guides allowingvertical flexibility of the head relative to the guides, and theconnection of the rear end of the cylinder with the frame being movableabout a horizontal axis.
 4. A stationary packer unit according to claim2, wherein the power cylinder is mounted in the supporting frame, aself-contained power unit operatively connected with the power cylinderfor supplying fluid power thereto, and means mounting the power unitwithin the frame for detachment and removal therefrom.
 5. A stationarypacker unit comprising a supporting frame, guides on opposite sides ofthe frame, a packer head mounted on the guides for reciprocatingmovement lengthwise thereof, a power cylinder mounted in the frame in anelevated position, a subframe detachably mounted within the supportingframe, and a self-contained power unit mounted on the subframe andconnected therewith and including means for supplying fluid power to thecylinder, said subframe being bodily removable from the supporting framewith the power unit thereon for replacement of the power unit.
 6. Astationary packer unit according to claim 5, wherein the power unit onthe subframe is mounted in the frame extending from side-to-side thereofbelow the cylinder and is removable from the frame.